Indian Army completes self-propelled howitzer trials

[sathya]

The Indian Army has completed trials for two 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer systems and is preparing a report for the Ministry of Defence.

Official sources said two competing 155 mm/52 cal towed gun systems and two 155 mm/52 cal self-propelled tracked howitzers recently completed maintainability acceptance trials and secured Directorate General of Quality Assurance clearance.

These processes followed summer and winter trials involving all four howitzers in Rajasthan in mid-2013 and Sikkim state in the Himalayas late last year and in January.

France's Nexter Systems modified its Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre for the Indian tender and Elbit submitted its ATHOS 2052 for the towed gun tender.

TRAJAN

TRAJAN® is an accurate and powerful 155mm/52 caliber towed gun system able to support any mechanized and armored unit.
It integrates the firepower of the CAESAR® 155mm/52 caliber artillery into a modern towed gun system fitted with firing control system, automated implementation such as in/out of action, laying, loading. TRAJAN® reaches a high level of accuracy by integrating a muzzle velocity radar (MVR), an inertial navigation unit (INU), and a ballistic calculator.
TRAJAN® has been designed to reach a high efficiency in all fire action such as direct support fire, in-depth action fire, counter-battery fire.
Its 155mm/52 caliber artillery is fully compatible with all 155mm 39/52 caliber NATO standard ammunition (Joint Ballistic MoU), and can fire ERFB shells and smart ammunition (BONUS, SPACIDO…).

SPECIFICATIONS

- Weight: 13 tons
- Transport: Rail, Sea, Air (IL-76, C17, A400M) in a single load
- Mobility:

TowedSelf-propelled
Road80km/h10km/h
Off-road30km/h5km/h
- Crew: 6 men
- In/out of action: Less than 1’30”
- Ammunition: NATO standard 155mm shells, ERFB, smart ammunition (BONUS, SPACIDO)
- Range: 4.5km to 42km (ERFB), 55km with VLAP, 2km in direct firing
- Rate of fire: 3 rds in 20”
- Equipment/Options: Muzzle Velocity Radar, Ballistic Calculator, Ammunition Handling Crane

Status: In competition for the Indian Towed Gun System (TGS) program.


ATHOS 2052

• Self maneuverable artillery howitzer
  
  
• Autonomous operation
  
  
• Fully automatic operation with manual back-up
  
  
• Integrated with complete electronic suite from gun level and up
  
  
• Integrated with system command and control at all levels including FDC’s and FCS
  
  
• Rapid deployment and short response time
  
  
• Long range, with all 155mm ammunition
  
  
• Massive and accurate fire power
  
  
• Integrated logistic support and all level maintenance program
  
  
• Low life cycle cost
  
  Technical Data
  
  Range (km)
  
  41 km (52 cal)
  
  Elevation (deg)
  
  -3 to +70
  
  Traverse (deg)
  
  +/-25
  
  Loading system
  
  Fully automatic or hydraulic & pneumatic loader assist systems
  
  Rate of fire
  with auto loader
  
  Burst 3 rounds within 15 sec. Intense 15 rounds within 3 min. Continuous 75 rounds within 60 min.
  
  MRSI
  
  Up to 4 rounds on target
  

 

[Koovie]

Indian Army completes self-propelled howitzer trials - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Omega007]

Both of these systems are not very different than our Dhanush then except of course,the barrel length.

 

[Echo_419]

The Indian Army has completed trials for two 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer systems and is preparing a report for the Ministry of Defence.

Official sources said two competing 155 mm/52 cal towed gun systems and two 155 mm/52 cal self-propelled tracked howitzers recently completed maintainability acceptance trials and secured Directorate General of Quality Assurance clearance.

These processes followed summer and winter trials involving all four howitzers in Rajasthan in mid-2013 and Sikkim state in the Himalayas late last year and in January.

France's Nexter Systems modified its Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre for the Indian tender and Elbit submitted its ATHOS 2052 for the towed gun tender.

TRAJAN

TRAJAN® is an accurate and powerful 155mm/52 caliber towed gun system able to support any mechanized and armored unit.
It integrates the firepower of the CAESAR® 155mm/52 caliber artillery into a modern towed gun system fitted with firing control system, automated implementation such as in/out of action, laying, loading. TRAJAN® reaches a high level of accuracy by integrating a muzzle velocity radar (MVR), an inertial navigation unit (INU), and a ballistic calculator.
TRAJAN® has been designed to reach a high efficiency in all fire action such as direct support fire, in-depth action fire, counter-battery fire.
Its 155mm/52 caliber artillery is fully compatible with all 155mm 39/52 caliber NATO standard ammunition (Joint Ballistic MoU), and can fire ERFB shells and smart ammunition (BONUS, SPACIDO…).

SPECIFICATIONS

- Weight: 13 tons
- Transport: Rail, Sea, Air (IL-76, C17, A400M) in a single load
- Mobility:

TowedSelf-propelled
Road80km/h10km/h
Off-road30km/h5km/h
- Crew: 6 men
- In/out of action: Less than 1’30”
- Ammunition: NATO standard 155mm shells, ERFB, smart ammunition (BONUS, SPACIDO)
- Range: 4.5km to 42km (ERFB), 55km with VLAP, 2km in direct firing
- Rate of fire: 3 rds in 20”
- Equipment/Options: Muzzle Velocity Radar, Ballistic Calculator, Ammunition Handling Crane

Status: In competition for the Indian Towed Gun System (TGS) program.

ATHOS 2052

• Self maneuverable artillery howitzer
  
  
• Autonomous operation
  
  
• Fully automatic operation with manual back-up
  
  
• Integrated with complete electronic suite from gun level and up
  
  
• Integrated with system command and control at all levels including FDC’s and FCS
  
  
• Rapid deployment and short response time
  
  
• Long range, with all 155mm ammunition
  
  
• Massive and accurate fire power
  
  
• Integrated logistic support and all level maintenance program
  
  
• Low life cycle cost
  
  Technical Data
  
  Range (km)
  
  41 km (52 cal)
  
  Elevation (deg)
  
  -3 to +70
  
  Traverse (deg)
  
  +/-25
  
  Loading system
  
  Fully automatic or hydraulic & pneumatic loader assist systems
  
  Rate of fire
  with auto loader
  
  Burst 3 rounds within 15 sec. Intense 15 rounds within 3 min. Continuous 75 rounds within 60 min.
  
  MRSI
  
  Up to 4 rounds on target

@Abingdonboy Dhanush is a separate Artillery program Right?
Or does this means the Gun will be shelved in favor of French & Isreali guns

 

[Raje amar]

Dhanush is a 45 cal gun.these are 52 cal guns.

These test will affect the indiginus development by DRDO and Kalyani group 52 cal program.

 

[nik22]

I thought Dhanush has completed trials. Was expecting a positive news

 

[indoPunjabi]

I hope this is not a Big blow to our desi howitzer.

 

[Abingdonboy]

@Abingdonboy Dhanush is a separate Artillery program Right?
Or does this means the Gun will be shelved in favor of French & Isreali guns

A sperate program, nothing to do with this competition- the IA has already placed an order for 116 Dhanush pieces that could go up to 416 units. This competition is for 52 cal towed arty guns the Dhanush is a 45 cal gun. Besides this Nexter and Elbit are in the running for the MGS (mounted gun system) with the mounted version of their respective systems.

I thought Dhanush has completed trials. Was expecting a positive news

116 units already on order, 300 extra units possible.

 

[nik22]

.


116 units already on order, 300 extra units possible.

Right, we did not get to know outcome of final trial yet. 116 gives the feeling of like order of Arjun tanks. 400+ would be a nice feeling and good capability addition